Erythroniums

The species and cultivars of Erythronium we offer in our Harvington Collection are all selected for garden worthiness. All are spring flowering bulbs that appreciate light shade – dappled woodland or shrub border shade is ideal with damp well drained soil. Their leaves die back in June and the bulbs become dormant over the summer.  They come up year after year.

Erythronium are also known as Dog Tooth Violets. The reason? The bulbs of Erythronium dens-canis reminded early botanists of a dog’s teeth.

The species from the Western North America are often called Trout Lilies. This alludes to the leaf markings that look like the scales of a fish.

We have hybridised and selected new varieties including:

Erythronium californicum ‘Harvington Snowgoose’

One of our own selection, this is an outstanding plant. Large white flowers with the most elegant of petals. The leaves are green with maroon markings. Flowers at their best in the second half of April. Height up to 40cm.

Erythronium revolutum ‘Harvington Wild Salmon’

Pink Erythronium are always commented upon – they have a charm and elegance all of their own. E. revolutum comes from Western United States and besides its striking flowers, it has beautifully mottled leaves.  ‘Wild Salmon’ is our own selection – a distinctive plant with graceful salmon pink flowers. It is a robust and strong grower.  Flowers a little later in April than most other Erythronium. Height up to 20cm.

Other plants in the Harvington Collection include:

Erythronium californicum ‘White Beauty’

A hybrid cultivar with a controversial history! We have produce identical plants by crossing E. oregonum with E. hendersonii!  It has a profusion of creamy white flowers and mottled leaves – it is a quality garden plant that clumps up well.  Flowers in April. Height 20-25cm.

Erythronium hendersonii

Regarded by many Erythronium enthusiasts as one of the most choice.  Pale lavender petals are set off by a blackcurrant eye in the centre of the flower.  Enjoys being dry during the summer months before the onset of autumn rain prompts the bulbs to root.  Can be in flower by late March and on into April. Height up to 30cm.

Erythronium oregonum

From British Columbia and Oregon. Maroon and green mottled leaves set off elegant creamy white flowers with a yellow eye.  Flowers from March through April. Height up to 30cm.

Erythronium ‘Knightshayes Pink’

Originated in the National Trust’s lovely woodland garden near Tiverton in Devon Undoubtedly a form or hybrid of E. revolutum.  Produces seeds freely and when it is happy will gently spread itself around.  Most plants have beautifully mottled leaves in maroon and green. April flowering up to 35cm.

Erythronium revolutum

This species from Western North America has great grace and charm.  Flowers are usually deep pink above mottled maroon and green foliage.  In our experience this species is somewhat less vigorous that E. ‘Knightshayes Pink’ and E. ‘Harvington Wild Salmon’.

Erythronium dens-canis ‘Old Aberdeen’ AGM

This dogs tooth violet has attractive deep purple/pink flowers with inky blue anthers.  Golden brown markings at base of petals.  Bold mottled leaf markings.  Flowers late March through April.  Height 15cm

Erythronium dens-canis ‘Snowflake’

White recurved petals.  Very pretty mottled leaf.  Russet brown zig-zag pencil markings inside the flowers, deep blue anthers.  Flowers late March through April.  Height 15cm

Erythronium ‘Spindlestone’

A selected form of E. tuolumnense with a neat habit and dependable bright pure yellow flowers in March and April.  It’s paired leaves are held distinctively and are bright apple green in colour.  A good grower.  Clump forming.  Height up to 20cm